LIHU’E—Kaua’i has been selected to participate in a federal program aimed at preventing damage and loss of life caused by natural disasters. As a participant of Project Impact, Kaua’i County will receive a $300,000 federal grant. The county was nominated
LIHU’E—Kaua’i has been selected to participate in a federal program aimed at preventing damage and loss of life caused by natural disasters.
As a participant of Project Impact, Kaua’i County will receive a $300,000 federal grant.
The county was nominated by Gov. Ben Cayetano and selected by Federal Emergency Management Agency Director James L. Witt to join nearly 200 communities to be part of FEMA’s nationwide initiative—Project Impact: Building Disaster Resistant Communities.
“Kaua’i County is threatened each year with hurricanes, floods and tsunamis,” said Cayetano. “Since 1982, it has been hit by two devastating disasters— Hurricane Iwa (1982) and Hurricane ‘Iniki (1992).
“Also during this period, damaging floods have occurred and wildland fires have been a constant threat since 1991,” he said.
“During the past seven years, Kaua’i County has been extremely active in implementing mitigation measures such as retrofitting essential facilities, hardening of public buildings, for emergency shelters, and public awareness program. For taking these disaster prevention actions, Kaua’i was asked to participate as a Project Impact community,” the governor said.
Kaua’i also was chosen for its existing network of private and public sector partnerships with The Kaua’i Economic Development Board, Contractors’ Association of Kaua’i, Hawai’i Hurricane Relief Fund, Pacific Disaster Center, University of Hawai’i, Kaua’i Community College, American Red Cross, Hotel Association of Kaua’i and the Structural Engineers of Hawai’i.
Through Project Impact, Hawai’i is working to change how it deals with disasters and thus save lives and reduce the effects of disasters in the future.
Project Impact is a national disaster prevention initiative developed in partnership with states and FEMA, encouraging communities to assess their risks from natural hazards and to implement strategies and actions that will limit damage before disasters strike again.
Kaua’i County is the third county in Hawai’i invited to participate in the initiative as a Project Impact community.
The first pilot community in Hawai’i was the County of Hawai’i, and the second was the County of Maui.
“Communities across this country through Project Impact can galvanize citizens and businesses to meet the long-term challenges through disaster prevention,” said FEMA Director Witt.
“This is the promise of Project Impact – to focus communities on preventing damage before disaster strikes.
Project Impact looks forward to working with Hawai’i to help Kaua’i County and other communities in Hawai’i to save lives and protect property, businesses and vital community services.”
